Abstract [en]

This study is a part of a wider multiple case study conducted in Jönköping county. It is examining a residential HVB-home for unaccompanied refugee children in Jönköping city. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine the neighborhood’s potential role in integration of unaccompanied refugee children. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with neighbors (n=11) and with representatives for the HVB-home (n=3). Furthermore, the study examines what information strategies have been used in the establishment process of HVB-home, along with what this has meant for the reception of the home in the neighborhood. The study finds that the neighborhood perceives the examined HVB-home as anonymous and there is a noticeable lack of information and knowledge about the home amongst the neighbors. The neighbors requests more information about the HVB-home and generally have indifferent or positive attitudes towards the location and existence of the HVB-home and the unaccompanied refugee children. The degree of acceptance of the home could be explained by the information strategy the HVB-home initially chose for the establishment of the home or the lack of knowledge about the home amongst the neighbors, although further explanations could be given. The lack of contact between the HVB-home and the neighborhood could partially be explained by the HVB-home’s choice to keep a low profile in the neighborhood. In addition, the study can distinguish an unexplored potential for the neighborhood to possible play an important role in the integration of the unaccompanied refugee children.